Chapter Nine
"I'm not a monster," Constantine mumbled, his face buried in his mother's sweater.
"Of course not." Shanna held him tight and nuzzled her cheek against his mop of blond curls. "You're my brave little boy."
Tears sprang to Caitlyn's eyes as she let herself into the nursery. How could Dad say such hurtful things in front of his grandchildren? But it was just as much her fault for confronting him in front of them.
Sofia sniffled, all alone in the rocking chair. "Why doesn't Grandpa like us?"
"He doesn't know you." Caitlyn rushed over to gather the little girl in her arms.
"He's known me since I was a baby," Constantine grumbled.
"I'm afraid he's blind in some ways," Shanna told him. "But it's Grandpa's problem. Not yours."
Sofia wrapped her little arms around Caitlyn's neck and gazed into her eyes. "You're not like Grandpa."
"No." Caitlyn smiled, her heart swelling with love. "I've been all over the world and seen thousands of children, so I know a little angel when I see one."
"Like me?" Sofia asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes, like you." Caitlyn kissed her niece's brow, then hugged her tight.
Shanna smiled at her over her son's head and mouthed the words Thank you.
Caitlyn nodded. "I still have some questions."
"I'm sure you do." Shanna glanced at her watch, then set her son on the floor. "Tino, you only have about ten minutes to play with your new toys before it's time to go to school."
"Oh." Constantine grabbed his new fire truck off a shelf. "Sofia, you want to see how the ladders work?"
"Okay." The little girl squirmed in Caitlyn's arms, so she set her down.
Shanna opened a side door. "My office is in here. We can keep an eye on them until Radinka comes."
"Radinka?" Caitlyn followed her into a waiting room.
"My assistant. She was at the party last night. You probably met her."
Caitlyn lifted her shoulders in confusion. "I've met a ton of people lately. I can't keep them all straight." Except for Carlos. He definitely stood out.
"Radinka is my lifesaver. She watches the kids when I have a patient." Shanna left the door open, then motioned to some chairs in the waiting room. "Have a seat."
Caitlyn sat in a chair where she could see into the nursery. "I'm sorry I talked to Dad in front of the children," she whispered. "I should have realized - "
"Don't blame yourself." Shanna sat beside her. "Dad is always one inch away from blowing his top whenever he comes here. It was actually a relief when he didn't show up for the party. Tino was free to be himself."
"It worries me how hateful Dad is toward your friends and your husband."
Shanna squeezed her hand. "I'm glad you're able to accept them."
Caitlyn took a deep breath to steady her nerves so she could pose the question she'd wanted to ask since she was nine years old. "Why did you leave all those years ago?"
Shanna gazed into the nursery with a faraway look in her eyes. "I didn't want to go. Dad said I needed some real school records in order to get into college, but I found out later that it wasn't exactly true."
"He told me it was your idea, that you wanted to leave."
Shanna shifted in her chair to face her. "I didn't want to go. I was miserable without you, and I couldn't understand why you never responded to my letters."
Caitlyn's throat constricted. "You wrote to me?"
"Yes. You never got my letters, did you?"
"No." Caitlyn shook her head. "And you never got mine." Tears threatened to escape. All those years of pain and loneliness and now she knew who had caused it - her own father. "Why did he make you leave?"
"I wondered that for years." Tears glimmered in Shanna's eyes. "I thought I must have done something wrong. I felt like I'd been kicked out of the family."
"I'm so sorry." A tear ran down Caitlyn's cheek. She felt a twinge of guilt that she'd doubted her sister. She'd been selfish, too, only considering her own pain, and never imagining what it had been like for Shanna.
"A few years back when Dad found me, he admitted the truth." Shanna snorted. "I guess I did do something wrong when I was a teenager. After years of blocking psychic power from Dad, I developed a lot of strength. Whenever he tried to control me, I would erect a psychic barrier that he couldn't penetrate."
"Dad was trying to control you?"
Shanna hesitated, frowning at the carpet. "Did you ever wonder how Mom always remained so calm? Even when Dylan broke a leg skiing, she was steady as a rock. No emotion, no fears."
Caitlyn shrugged. "That's just the way she is."
"Like she's muffled in a cocoon of blankets? Cait, maybe you were too young to remember, but she wasn't always like that. When I was little, she was full of laughter and always had a hug for everyone."
"Mom?"
"Yes. But she'd also freak out over things. She hated living abroad and was always begging Dad to bring us back to the States."
Caitlyn frowned. "I don't remember that."
"You were just a baby. And then, all of a sudden she changed. She became calm and controlled." Shanna grimaced. "Dad's control."
Caitlyn's heart lurched. "What exactly are you saying?"
"Dad has been using his psychic power to control Mom. Or as he puts it, he's been helping her for her own good."
"No," Caitlyn whispered.
"I'm afraid so. And when he discovered he couldn't control me, he was worried that I'd mess up his plans."
"That's why he sent you away?"
Shanna nodded. "I know it sounds terrible. Well, it is terrible, but it's the truth. He admitted it to me."
Caitlyn shuddered. "Poor Mom."
Shanna sighed. "I think there may be more to the story. I've asked Mom, and she doesn't have any memory of the summer before I left."
"You think Dad wiped it?"
"Yes. I don't know why."
Caitlyn rubbed her brow. This was worse than she'd ever imagined. But when she thought back to all the times her mom had reacted - or rather, not reacted - to the normal stress of their daily lives, she knew it was true.
Anger boiled up in her. It was bad enough that Dad had separated her from her sister, but how dare he turn their mother into a robot!
She jumped to her feet and paced across the floor. More tears welled up in her eyes. It wasn't every day that you found out your dad was an utter asshole. Part of her didn't want to believe it. But she'd always known he was a control freak. And deep inside, she'd also known that something was wrong with Mom. It had been impossible to connect with her on an emotional level.
That was why Shanna's departure had devastated Caitlyn so much. She'd depended on her sister for love and companionship.
And Dad had purposely sent Shanna away. Tears streamed down Caitlyn's face, and she angrily brushed them aside. "I can't believe you still talk to Dad. Or even allow him on the premises."
"I understand your anger. I felt it, too. But I've had a few years to adjust. I understand now that I have to involve Dad with our lives so he can see how good the Vamps are."
"So he won't target them for...termination." Caitlyn paused in her pacing to look at her nephew and niece. They were so beautiful and innocent. "You have to protect them, too."
"Yes. It's better for Dad to feel attached to them."
Caitlyn turned to face her sister. "Do you know if he was controlling me or Dylan?"
"I don't think so. Dylan was always busy with his sports, so he was hardly ever home. You were young and eager to please. I don't think Dad ever needed to use mind control on you. I was the one who gave him trouble."
Caitlyn winced. "I'm so sorry."
Shanna waved a dismissive hand as she stood. "It's not your fault. Let's put it all behind us, okay?"
"How can I? I suffered for years, feeling lonesome and abandoned. And you were suffering, too! Dad had no right to separate us."
"He couldn't control me. He probably thought I'd be a bad influence on you." Shanna snorted. "He still thinks I'm a bad influence on you. But it's all over. We're together now. That's what really counts."
Caitlyn rushed to her sister and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're all right, that you found new friends, and you have such beautiful children."
Shanna smiled and wiped her sister's cheeks. "No more tears, okay? Everything will be all right."
Caitlyn nodded, although she still felt shaky inside. The last two nights had completely turned her world topsy-turvy. Creatures who should be monsters were now her friends. And her dad was looking like the real monster.
She needed to get away from it all. "I think I'll go back to the townhouse now." She needed a long hot bath and a good night's sleep.
"Okay," Shanna said. "Maybe we can come see you tomorrow. Late afternoon?"
"Hello, my darlings," a woman with an Eastern European accent said from the nursery.
"Radinka!" Tino shouted. "Look at my new fire truck."
Shanna strode into the nursery, bringing Caitlyn with her. "Hi, Radinka. Remember my sister?"
"Yes, of course." Radinka extended a hand. "We're so happy to have you join us."
"Thank you." Caitlyn shook hands with the older woman, then realized she wasn't letting go.
"Ah." Radinka squeezed her hand and studied her carefully. "Yes. I see love in your future. A very passionate love."
Caitlyn's face grew warm. "Okay." She tried to withdraw her hand, but the older woman held tight.
"Hmm. It is a forbidden love," Radinka murmured.
Shanna leaned close to Caitlyn and whispered, "She's a bit psychic."
"A bit?" Radinka released Caitlyn's hand and gave Shanna an incredulous look. "Wasn't I right about you and Roman? And Emma and Angus? And Darcy and - "
"All right." Shanna laughed. "You're extremely psychic."
"Thank you." Radinka set her handbag on the table and began unbuttoning her coat. "Now if I could just find a match for my son."
"Gregori is the vice president of marketing here at Romatech," Shanna explained.
"I like Gregori!" Sofia whirled around in a circle.
Radinka snorted. "I've never met a female who didn't. I don't know how I'll ever get him to settle down." She removed her coat. "By the way, Shanna, he's your first appointment tonight. He should be here in fifteen minutes."
"Good evening," a masculine voice came from the hallway.
Caitlyn stiffened. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.
"Hi, Carlos!" Tino skipped over to the door.
Caitlyn turned and found his golden brown eyes focused entirely on her. Her heart pounded. Her throat constricted, making her breathless. Oh God, she couldn't handle an encounter with him now. She'd had enough drama for one evening.
"Ah, interesting," Radinka whispered.
Shanna shook her head at Radinka, then gave the shape shifter a bland look. "Can we help you, Carlos?"
"Emma sent me. May I have a word with you, Caitlyn?"
She swallowed hard. "My training doesn't start till tomorrow, so I'm going back to the townhouse now."
His eyes gleamed amber. "We didn't think you should drive back all alone. Emma thought you might be upset after the confrontation with your father."
"I'm fine, really." Caitlyn turned toward the others in the nursery. "It was nice to meet you, Radinka. Shanna, I'll see you and the kids tomorrow. 'Bye."
Tino and Sofia hugged her, then Caitlyn opened the nursery door to leave.
Carlos stepped back to let her pass. "You've been crying," he whispered.
A shiver skittered down her back. "It's nothing." She headed to the conference room to collect her handbag and portfolio.
He hovered in the doorway with a duffel bag in his hand. "You've been through a lot this evening. Why don't you let me drive?"
Just what she needed, another controlling man in her life. "No thanks. I'm fine." She swung her handbag onto her shoulder and marched out the door.
Carlos strode alongside her. "Let me put this another way. I..."
She glanced at him. He was clearly struggling to get something out. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
He gave her an annoyed look. "This cat is fine. I...I actually need a ride back."
She snorted. "Can you say pretty please?"
He halted, glowering at her. "No, I can't. I could easily hitch a ride with one of the Vamps."
"Fine." Tears blurred her vision and her voice cracked. "'Cause I really want to be alone right now." Shanna might think everything was settled, but Caitlyn was still reeling from everything she'd just learned. Her dad had purposely separated her from her sister and he'd turned her mother into an emotionless shell.
His expression softened. "Catalina, you shouldn't be driving when you're this upset."
She couldn't bear for him to be nice. Sympathy would make her crumble faster than anything. "Don't tell me what to do. I hate controlling men. I hate - " Tears threatened to fall, so she whirled away before he could see them and strode down the hallway to the foyer.
Dammit! She wiped a tear off her cheek. She was upset. All those years when she feared she wasn't good enough, she had suffered needlessly. It hadn't been her fault. Or Shanna's fault. They'd been cursed with an asshole for a father.
She barged through the front doors into the parking lot. Cool air stung her wet cheeks. She hurried to her car, set her portfolio on the trunk, then fumbled in her handbag for the keys.
"It's a rental car, right?" Carlos asked. "Why don't you let me drive?"
She spun around to face him. "You're still here?"
"I never left. You're too upset to know when someone's two steps behind you. You shouldn't be driving."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"I'm a friend, Catalina," he growled. "I am not your father."
With a cry of exasperation, she tried to shove him away.
He grabbed her arms and pulled her back, slamming her against his chest. His eyes gleamed with anger...and something else.
Desire. Her breath caught. Her handbag and keys tumbled from her grasp to land on the asphalt pavement. "Do it," she whispered, sliding her hands around his neck. "Kiss me."
The muscles in his neck strained. His grip on her arms tightened. "No."
She pushed him away, and he released her. They stood a foot apart, staring at each other, breathing heavily.
"The cameras are on," he said softly. "I'm not giving Emma and Angus another show to watch."
Caitlyn lifted her eyebrows. "Then you'll kiss me in private?"
His amber eyes burned into her. "No." He leaned over, scooped her keys off the ground, then unlocked the passenger side door. He opened it and gave her a fierce look. "Get in."
She snatched her handbag off the pavement and grabbed her portfolio off the trunk. Rejected again. Just as well. The last thing she needed in her life right now was another domineering male. She tossed her belongings onto the floor, then climbed into the car and settled on the seat. Her tight skirt hitched up quite a bit, but she didn't tug it down. She glanced up at Carlos to see if he'd noticed.
His jaw ticked, and he slammed the door shut.
With a snort, she fastened her seat belt. This was going to be a fun ride.